The government has warned that anybody exporting coal illegally will be land in prison and that nobody can take India’s wealth outside the country.
The warning came from Union minister of state for coal Sriprakash Jaiswal in the Lok Sabha on Saturday while replying to the debate on the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2010, that was passed by the House.
With several members having complained about illegal mining during the discussion, Mr Jaiswal told the Opposition MPs that those from the BJP, JD(U) and BSP should realise that this is happening in states ruled by their parties. He also said that while he was confident that the government will be able to curb illegal mining, law and order being a state subject, states will have to deal with the issue.
Further, Mr Jaiswal said that the government’s policy on coal blocks is aimed at encouraging the serious players in the bidding process and also so that mining can begin soon after the contract has been awarded.
The minister also said that the government has decided to provide Rs 10,000 crores for the rehabilitation of people living in areas where fires break out in abandoned coal mines.
Mr Jaiswal further said that the rehabilitation of people affected by coal mine fires would be given priority by the government. Admitting that “certain problems” with the rehabilitation programme had led to Naxalism and law and order problems in some states, the minister accused state governments of “carelessness and dereliction of duty”.
Earlier, during the debate, several MPs voiced their opposition to the allocation of coal blocks and to private companies. JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said that the Naxal problem has assumed gigantic proportions because the country’s mineral wealth is being looted, particularly from tribal areas.
“What’s happening in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh?” he asked.
Raghuvansh Prasad Singh of the RJD said that with illegal mining continuing, “where is law and order?” He accused the coal mafia of illegal mining and demanded that mines and minerals be nationalised.